Dolly Parton, the celebrated singer-songwriter, has died at the age of 80. Known as the 'Queen of Country', Parton's career spanned decades, marked by numerous musical achievements and philanthropic efforts.
Parton's ability to connect with diverse audiences was evident in her 2014 Glastonbury performance, where an estimated 180,000 people gathered to watch her on the Pyramid Stage. Her career included selling over 100 million records and releasing 49 solo albums, earning her 11 Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Beyond her musical success, Parton was a significant philanthropist. She founded the Imagination Library, which has donated 100 million books to children worldwide. In 2020, she contributed $1 million to the development of the Moderna Covid vaccine.
Born in January 1946 in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, Parton grew up in a family of 12 children. She began singing in church at six and performing on local TV and radio by age 10, moving to Nashville in 1964 to pursue her music career. Her business acumen was also notable, as she controlled her own publishing rights early in her career, a decision that proved financially beneficial with the success of songs like 'I Will Always Love You'.